ERIE, Pa. – Fresh off their first Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament Championship, the Mercyhurst University men's basketball team will head back to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament for their second trip to the big dance in school history. The Lakers will travel to Wheeling, WV, to take on 4th-ranked Wheeling Jesuit on Saturday, March 12 at 6:00 p.m.

Media Links: Tournament Central | Live Stats | Video | Game Notes | Bracket | Digital Game Program | Twitter Updates

Check into the tournament central page for all the up-to-date information regarding the regional. The tournament central page link will also be avaiable under the additional links tab on the Mercyhurst men's basketball page.       

After coming from behind to beat Shippensburg in the PSAC Tournament Semifinals last Saturday, the Lakers did it again on Sunday in the title game, coming back from down 11 midway through the first half, to beat West Chester on their home floor, 70-67.

The PSAC Tournament Championship gave Mercyhurst the automatic bid out of the PSAC, helping them get back to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season.

Sunday's win also tied the second most wins in school history, as the Lakers tied the 1985-86 team, when they finished 21-7 overall. The most wins in school history is held by the 1977-78 team, winning 26 games that season (26-3).

It is the seventh 20-win season in program history, fourth under Head Coach Gary Manchel. The 21st win of the season also marked the most wins by any team during the Manchel era.

For seniors Jean Onana, Sean Beins, and Andy Hoying, the win helped them become the most winningest senior class in program history, compiling 74 wins in their four years at Mercyhurst.

Mercyhurst's opponent, Wheeling Jesuit, enters the tournament as the Atlantic Region favorite, receiving the number one seed at 28-3 overall. The Cardinals come out of the stacked Mountain East Conference (MEC), with competition such as #6 West Liberty (27-3) and #16 Fairmont State (25-4). Concord (22-9) received the automatic bid into the tournament out of the MEC, after winning the conference title over Notre Dame (OH). Wheeling was knocked out of the MEC Tournament in the semifinals by Notre Dame (OH), 76-68.

Game Notes for Saturday, March 12 | (8) Mercyhurst at (1) Wheeling Jesuit

Mercyhurst
- Sunday's win over West Chester, 70-67, was the Lakers first ever PSAC Championship since joining the conference back in 2008.
- Saturday's game at Wheeling Jesuit will mark the programs second all-time trip to the NCAA Tournament. Mercyhurst has made the tournament in back-to-back seasons, while seeking their first win at the big dance.
- The Lakers are the best defensive team in the country, ranking 1st in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). They are holding opponents to 59.5 points per game.
- Mercyhurst shoots 47.7 percent from the field.
- The Lakers hold opponents to 30.5 rebounds per game.
- Senior guard Damon Jones averages 14.4 points per game -- Leads team.
- Senior forward Kayode Ajenifuja is shooting 58.9 percent from the field -- Leads team.
- H'ian Hale leads the team in assists with 118 total. He averages 4.1 assists per game.

Wheeling Jesuit
- The Cardinals enter the NCAA Tournament as the number one seed in the Atlantic Region.
- Wheeling lost to Notre Dame (OH) in the MEC Tournament Semifinals, 76-68, Saturday, March 5.
- The Last time Wheeling and Mercyhurst faced-off against one another was back in 1983-84, where the Lakers defeat the Cardinals, 72-66, in Erie.
- As a team, Wheeling averages 84.2 points per game, while they allow 73.0 ppg.
- Justin Fritts, Eric Siefert, and Haywood Highsmith all average 14 points per game. The Cardinals have five players who average double figures scoring.
- Highsmith leads the team in rebounding, grabbing 9.4 rebounds a game.
- Siefert leads the team in assists with 133. (4.3 apg)

TICKET INFORMATION
Reserved Section CC Seating: $40 (all sessions)
All-Tournament Pass: $25 (all sessions)
Per Session: $10
Students: $5 (per session)
Senior Citizens: $5 (per session)

The session break down for NCAA Atlantic Regional is below:
Session I, March 12 – Saturday  
12:00 p.m. – (3) Fairmont State vs. (6) Virginia State
2:30 p.m. – (2) West Liberty vs. (7) Concord
 
Session II, March 12 – Saturday
6:00 p.m. – (1) Wheeling Jesuit vs (8) Mercyhurst
8:30 p.m. – (4) Kutztown vs (5) West Chester
 
Session III, March 13 – Sunday
5:00 p.m. – Game 1 Winner vs Game 2 Winner
7:30 p.m. – Game 3 Winner vs Game 4 Winner
 
Session IIII, March 15 – Tuesday
7:00 p.m. – Championship Game